Discharge device for flowable media using a thrust piston pump

ABSTRACT

A disposable atomizer for discharging successive partial discharge amounts as a spray has a base body ( 12 ), a projecting nose adapter ( 13 ) with a nozzle ( 14 ), actuating shoulders ( 35 ) where two fingers can rest, and an actuating part, containing an actuating sleeve ( 25 ) and a medium store ( 20 ), which can be pressed into the base body ( 12 ). A hollow needle ( 17 ) can penetrate the closure piston-stopper ( 21 ) of said medium store ( 20 ). A ring ( 28 ) is mounted on the actuating sleeve ( 25 ) by spokes ( 29 ) and predetermined breaking points ( 30 ), the ring ( 28 ) separating in response to typical actuating pressure when the actuator is used the first time. The spokes ( 29 ) strike a stop which thus limits the first partial discharge stroke. By rotating the actuating sleeve ( 25 ), the actuating part is moved into a starting position for a second partial discharge stroke, and when intermediate webs in the form of material bridges are broken out, the second partial discharge stroke can be executed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,069, assigned to the assignee herein, describes adischarge device in which a pump cylinder and a resilient stopconstructed in the manner of a snap locking mechanism. Before a partialstroke can be effected, it is necessary for the operator to apply aspecific actuating pressure, so that after overcoming this pressurethreshold, a liquid is discharged with a specific minimum force andspeed. This construction ensures that an adequate pressure exists at theoutset for atomizing the medium, and that the pump is actuated up to theend of its stroke. Consequently, the complete content of the mediumreservoir or store, which simultaneously forms the pump cylinder, isdischarged in one or two strokes. Such single or multiple dosing devicesare important for the delivery of medicaments, which are particularlycritical with respect to the dosage, contamination, conservation orother criteria.

Published PCT application No. WO 92/00812, assigned to the assigneeherein, discloses the use of medium reservoirs for a single dischargestroke, which are closed by a stopper simultaneously serving as apiston, the stopper being perforated by a needle for actuation purposes.

FR-A-1 535 293 discloses a tamper preventer for aerosol valves, in whichpredetermined breaking points are provided between the cap carrying thenozzle and a flange-like bead which can be snapped onto the containerclosure cover. These breaking points break prior to the first use.

EP-B-521 022 discloses a two-compartment atomizer, in which the strokeof a thrust piston pump is limited by a rocker on the circumference ofthe casing which is advanced for a second stroke.

DE-U-29 601 047 discloses a pump atomizer, which is designed for twosuccessive discharge strokes. For this purpose on the sleeve receivingthe medium container forming the pump cylinder there are twopredetermined breaking rings, which come into successive engagement.

The second predetermined breaking ring forms a stop for ending the firstdischarge stroke step.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is provided in a discharge device for flowablemedia using a thrust piston pump and enabling discharge to take place inat least two successive discharge stroke steps. In particular, each ofthe discharge strokes take place with a predetermined minimum pressureand the component of the dispenser are preferably so secured against oneanother that the two discharges strokes cannot be performed with asingle actuation even on applying high forces.

The invention provides two destructible pressure point protectors, eachof which requires a predetermined actuating force for the releasethereof.

Thus, it is possible to spray into both nostrils of the patient amedicament, which has to act rapidly, in two successive strokes. This isparticularly important for medicaments for the treatment of highlypainful illnesses or attacks thereof, such as migraine headaches. Themedicaments which have been developed for treating such illnesses arevery expensive and must therefore be used in a very accurately dosedmanner. Their absorption by means of the nasal mucosus is very good andacts rapidly, but should be uniformly absorbed by both nostrils in orderto further increase the rapid action. It must in particular be ensuredthat patients, suffering from a migraine attack, are frustrated by thepain and consequently a reliable, uncomplicated function of thedischarge device is vital. This is ensured by the multi-stroke dischargedevice according to the invention, which overcomes any externalcircumstances.

The pressure point protector can contain at least one predeterminedbreaking point. In a particularly preferred manner, it is provided on asnap-in ring, which includes destructible material bridges on a sleevereceiving the medium container and forming an actuation pusher. Thissnap-in ring makes it possible to provide the material bridges on one ofthe two parts to be joined together so that following the separation ofthe material bridges, the ring which is snapped onto the other part willremain thereon.

When the first discharge stroke step has been initiated and the firststroke is ended, preferably a stop is provided, whose stop elements are,for example, spokes in the vicinity of the ring. Thus, when the firststroke is ended, the part movable with respect to the base body, i.e.the actuating sleeve with the medium store, strikes against a fixedstop, which ensures that simultaneously the second discharge stroke stepis not initiated. For this purpose initially an unlocking actuation iscarried out, for example, by mutually turning the two parts movablerelative to one another. Thus, the spokes separated from the ring in themeantime and remaining on the actuating sleeve can be turned into aposition where they are in the vicinity of webs, which are in turnconnected to the base body by predetermined breaking points. Thisturning position can be limited by projecting wall portions, in order toprevent excessive turning. If now a second actuation takes place, onceagain the predetermined breaking points between the web and the basebody break, so that a second discharge stroke is performed with aminimum actuating force being carried out.

It is important, particularly for pharmaceutical applications, that themedium store is hermetically sealed up to the time of the initial use.This can be brought about through a medium store, usually a cylindricalglass ampoule, which is closed by a plug of a rubbery material, which isperforated by a hollow needle during the first discharge stroke andwhich consequently forms a type of outlet or delivery valve. Thedischarge channel connected by it, or formed by it, remains openfollowing the first stroke, so that atomization can immediately startduring the following second stroke.

WO 93/00172 discloses in the case of a disposable atomizer having adifferent construction a smaller cross-section delivery tubule connectedto a support section.

Particularly when applying a medicament to the nostrils, it is oftenimportant to direct the spray jet onto therapeutically, particularlyfavorable points. Thus, a further aim of the invention is to soconstruct an applicator that application is possible to specific pointswithin body orifices, including particularly difficultly accessiblepoints. To this end, a thin, long delivery or discharge tubule with agreatly reduced diameter, on whose end is located the outlet port,preferably in the form of a spray nozzle, can be connected to aconnecting piece of the base body.

This makes it possible to introduce the delivery tubule into a nosechannel, particularly the inner nostril, for the delivery of amedicament, preferably a vaccine or immunizing agent against commoncolds, such as influenza. It is admittedly known to applypharmaceuticals to the nasal mucosus, so as to permit rapid absorptionwithout burdening the gastrointestinal tract, but in the case of manymedicaments, particularly the aforementioned vaccines against commoncolds, it is necessary or at least advantageous to apply them tospecific nasal cavity areas, e.g. to the conchae nasi. The describeddelivery tubule shape permits the introduction into said area.

In order to permit an introduction of the delivery tubule into thecorresponding curved areas of the nasal cavity, it can have a bend, suchas a curve, a kink, etc. or can be angled away from the connectingpiece. It can itself be elastically or plastically flexible, i.e.pliable, so that on introduction into a nose channel it adapts thereto.

In the case of a relatively long tubule, which due to the small diameterof generally below 5 mm. (preferably 2 to 4 mm) for a length of morethan 10 mm (preferably 20 to 30 mm), cannot contain the actualapplicator, i.e. usually a thrust piston pump, there is a problem ofdead space, which not only impedes the flow of the normally veryvaluable medicament, but in particular impedes the spontaneity ofpressure buildup by widening under pump pressure. This problem can besolved according to the invention in that the delivery tubule has aninner channel, which is largely filled by a filler, with the exceptionof a line channel for the medium. Its face adjacent to the dischargeport can, together with the latter, form a boundary for spray nozzlevortex channels, which can be contained in said face in the form ofspiral grooves.

In a preferred embodiment a disposable two-compartment atomizer for thedelivery of two successive partial charges as a spray is created. It hason a base body a projecting nose adaptor with nozzle, actuatingshoulders for the application of two fingers and an actuating part withan actuating sleeve which can be pressed into the base body and a mediumstore or reservoir held therein, whose closure piston stopper can beperforated by a hollow needle. A ring is fitted to the actuating sleeveis fitted by predetermined breaking points and spokes which, during afirst actuation tear off, whilst maintaining a minimum actuatingpressure. The spokes strike against a stop and consequently limit thefirst partial discharge stroke. By rotating the actuating sleeve theactuating portion is brought into the starting position for the secondpartial discharge stroke. There, intermediate webs inserted by materialbridges are broken out, so that also the second partial stroke takesplace, while maintaining a minimum actuating force.

These and further features can be gathered from the claims, descriptionand drawings and the individual features, either singly or in the formof sub-combinations, can be implemented in an embodiment of theinvention and in other fields and can represent advantageous,independently protectable constructions for which protection is herebyclaimed. The subdivision of the application into individual sections andthe subtitles in no way limit the general validity of the statementsmade thereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

n embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail hereinafterrelative to the drawings, wherein show:

FIG. 1 A longitudinal section through a discharge device.

FIG. 2 A greatly enlarged detail of area II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 A view of the actuating sleeve and shaped-on ring, shown frombelow following arrow III in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 A section along line IV in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 A section along line V in, FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 & 7 Partial longitudinal sections through variants of adischarge device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The discharge device 11 shown in the drawings has a base body 12 in theform of a plastic injection molding. It has a central, elongatedconnecting piece 13, whose shape and length is adapted to the particularapplication. In the present case it is a so-called nose adaptor intendedto be introduced into the nostril of a patient. At its upper end it hasa discharge opening 14 in the form of a spray nozzle with an upstreamangle chamber and following onto the latter in the interior of thehollow connecting piece 13 is provided a sleeve-like piston rod carrier15, into which is pressed from below a hollow piston rod 16. In thelatter is pressed a plunger 17 in the form of a hollow steel needlechamfered at its lower, free end in similar manner to an injection orhypodermic needle, namely by a needle-surrounding seal 18. Theneedle-like plunger 17 completely penetrates the piston rod and is ledup to the discharge opening 14 and consequently its interior forms adischarge channel 19.

The pharmaceutical medium 24 to be discharged is housed in a mediumcontainer 20, which is constructed as a cylindrical, downwardly closedand upwardly open, laterally flanged glass container similar to anampoule. It simultaneously forms the medium reservoir or store and thepump chamber 23, so that its inner walls are simultaneously the cylinderpath of a thrust piston pump 46. Its piston 21 is formed by a pistonstopper, which is made from rubber or rubbery material and has in thecenter a diaphragm 22 in the form of a centrepiece with limited wallthickness, which can b e perforated by the plunger 17.

The medium container 20 is received in an actuating and reception sleeve25, which is constructed in the form of a very long, downwardly closedplastic sleeve with inner reinforcing ribs for the medium container. Itsclosed bottom 26 forms an actuating surface for the discharge device 11.It is guided together with the medium container between ribs 45 in theinterior of the connecting piece and is axially movable therein.

Onto the outer circumference is shaped a first pressure point protector27. It comprises three connecting webs or spokes 29 (FIG. 3), which areconnected by means of material bridges 30 to a circumferential, outerring 28, which is received in a circumferential position with its outercircumference defined by a guide groove 42 in a snap connection 32,which is further provided on a cylindrical base portion 34 of the basebody and namely on its lower border or edge. The material bridges aredesigned in such a way that they break on applying a predeterminedactuating pressure (FIG. 2). An inner rib 48 of the base portion 34secures the ring 28 in its axial position.

The base portion 34 extends downwards from the actuating shoulders 35,which form overall, an oval surface (FIG. 4) surrounding the centralconnecting piece 13 and extend downwards to provide a reinforcing edge36.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the spokes 29 have lateral reinforcements andare stiffened in the axial direction by stiffening ribs 31. The outersurface of the actuating sleeve 35 has an external handle in the form ofa knurling.

FIG. 4 shows walls 44, which project downwards in the interior of thebase portion 34. They form three arcuate portions 49 and extend in eachcase on either side to the circumference of the base portion in theoutwards direction, so that they are formed between them slots 43.Between their walls 44 are small plates or webs 40, which form a secondpressure point protector 39 for a second stroke and are connected to thewalls by material bridges 41. One of the walls 44 is lengthened andforms a turning stop 38, against which the spokes 29 strike on turning.

During the manufacture of the discharge device the parts are assembledin the position shown in FIG. 1. The medium container 20 filled with themedium 24 is received in the actuating sleeve 25 and its pump chamber 23is tightly sealed by the pump stopper 21. It is spaced from the tip ofthe plunger 17, when the actuating sleeve is in the starting position,which is defined by the fact that the ring 28 of the first pressurepoint protector 27 has locked in the snap-action device 32 and engageson the underside of the ribs 48.

The resulting ready-to-use discharge device is gripped by the user whenneeded, in that he places two fingers on the actuating shoulders 35 andpresses with the thumb on the actuating surface 26. When an adequateactuating pressure is applied the material bridges 30 tear. Thesebridges form a predetermined breaking point, so that now the actuatingsleeve moves upwards with a predetermined force and a correspondinglyhigh actuating speed (cf. FIG. 1). After clearing the idle pathpredetermined by the distance between needle 17 and diaphragm 22, theneedle perforates the diaphragm, the piston rod 16 presses the pistonstopper into the medium container 20 and the medium 24 is released viathe discharge channel 19 into the needle and the discharge opening 14 inthe form of a spray mist. This takes place during the introduction bythe patient of the connecting piece 13 into one of his nostrils.

At the end of this first discharge stroke step, in which in preciselydimensioned manner, half of the medium has been discharged, the spokes29 strike against the stop 37 on the underside of the walls 44 andconsequently limit the discharge. The discharge pressure suddenlycollapses and atomization ends without dripping.

The patient can now introduce the connecting piece 13 into his secondnostril, after preparing the discharge device for the second dischargestroke step. This takes place in that the actuating sleeve 25 is rotatedby approximately 30° using the handle 33 (knurling). A comparison ofFIGS. 3 and 4 makes it clear that the spokes 29 are under a roughly 30°distance from the slots 43 in walls 44. At the end of the firstdischarge stroke step they struck against the same roughly in the centerof the portions 49. They are now turned to such an extent that they arelocated above the slots 43. The downwardly extended wall portion formsthe turning s top 38.

If now the actuating sleeve 25 in FIG. 1 is pressed upwards again, thenthe spokes 29 engage on webs 40. On reaching the predetermined actuatingpressure for the second discharge stroke step, the material webs 41 alsobreak away there. The second discharge stroke step is performed in thesame way as the first, in that the lower terminal edge of the piston rod16 presses the pist on stopper 21 further into the medium container 20and therefore delivers the medium in the manner of a thrust piston pumpthrough the discharge channel 19.

In the represented embodiment the operation is thereby ended. It isconsequently a double-stroke disposable pump, which is disposed of aftera single use. Since with the exception of the medium reservoir 20 andthe steel needle 17, as well as optionally the piston stopper 21, allparts are plastic injection moldings, namely preferably from the samematerial, recycling is possible.

The discharge device makes it possible to deliver the individual partialcharges with high dosing precision and reliability and if desired indifferent quantities. Due to the idle paths to be traversed during theinitial actuation, the partial strokes differ, which is taken intoaccount in the design. It is possible to adapt the discharge device forother applications, e.g. medicaments intended for the eyes or otherapplication points occurring in pairs or in multiple form. Also forseveral successive applications in spray or other delivery form, e.g.treatment in intervals of a few minutes to the same application point,it is still possible to use the present device.

With the exception of the differences explained hereinafter dischargedevice 11 in FIGS. 6 and 7 corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 to 5.Reference is made to the description of the latter and the same partscarry the same reference numerals.

The connecting piece 13 tapers towards its end and passes into adelivery tubule 50, which is constructed in one piece therewith andwhich is elongated and thin. Its diameter is between 3 and 4 mm or less,but generally no more than 5 mm and has a length over 10 mm, preferablybetween 20 and 30 mm. The tubule length to diameter ratio isapproximately 7 and is advantageously above 5. It is circular andcylindrical and has at its end the delivery port 15 in the form of aspray nozzle. It is a small diameter hole shaped into the deliverytubule 50 and which together with the vortex channels 51 shaped into thefront end of a filler 52, forms a nozzle with a conical spray jet.

The filler 52 is constructed in one piece with the piston rod 16 and hason its outside very small cross-section line channels 53 in the form ofshaped in longitudinal grooves. The longitudinal piece fills an innerchannel 54 of the hollow delivery tubule 50, which minimizes the deadspace for the medium flowing out. The line channels 53 are connected tothe inner bore of the needle 17 by a diameter reduction of thedistributing chamber 53 formed by the filler/piston rod unit.

In FIG. 7 the delivery tubule is flexible and pliable, namely in thearea of the hinge-like kink 56, which is in a central area of thetubule. It is formed in that in the vicinity of the kink the diameter ofthe filler 52 a is reduced to such an extent that it is readily pliabledue to the flexibility of its material. The delivery tubule material isalso flexible to such an extent that it permits a certain hose-likebending. It would also be possible to shape bellows-like folds in therein order to facilitate bending. It is also possible to make the completedelivery tubule elastically or plastically pliable by a correspondingchoice of material. It is also possible to permanently curve or bend thedelivery tubule or to have a non-axial spray nozzle orientation.

For applying a medicament to the nasal cavity and the lateral channelsthereof, particularly to the conchae nasi, the delivery tubule isintroduced and correspondingly oriented by the doctor or some othertrained person. The discharge device is then actuated in theaforementioned manner in order to perform a first stroke portion. Thenthe delivery tubule is introduced into the second nostril and the secondstroke portion is initiated, optionally following the unlocking thereof.

In the case of a fixed-bent delivery tubule, in the case of acorresponding design of the finger application shoulders 35 a specifichand position can be prescribed, so that the doctor automaticallyencounters the correct point and this also applies for an eccentricnozzle arrangement. With a plastically deformable delivery tubule thedoctor can orient the tubule in accordance with his experience, whilewith an elastically pliable tubule the latter can be appropriatelyshaped on introduction into the nose. It can be advantageous to apply alubricant to the delivery tubule.

As a result of this specific form of the discharge device with deliverytubule, a very efficient application can take place to specific areas ofthe nasal mucosus or to specific nose areas and cavities, nasalapplication taking place in two successive strokes.

What is claimed is:
 1. Discharge device for discharging a flowablemedium (24) comprising: a housing having a first housing part (12) and asecond housing part (25); a pump piston (21) disposed in at least one ofthe first housing part (12) and the second housing part (25) and movedin response to movement of at least one of the first housing part (12)and the second housing part (25); a medium reservoir (20) for containingthe medium (24), said medium reservoir (20) also forming a pump chamber(23), said pump piston (21) being moveable to produce pressure in thepump chamber (23); a discharge channel (19) leading from the pumpchamber (23) to a discharge opening (14) to allow release of the medium(24) when the pump piston (21) is moved to produce pressure in the pumpchamber (23); at least one intermediate stop (37) disposed between astarting position and a subsequent position of the second housing part(25), said intermediate stop being non-destructible in response to afirst discharge stroke and separating said first discharge stroke from asecond discharge stroke to prevent complete emptying of said mediumreservoir (20) in a single motion; at least two pressure release points(27) restricting operation of the second housing part (25) until aminimum actuating force is applied to overcome the pressure releasepoints (27) and allow movement of the second housing part (25) through afirst discharge stroke; and wherein the second housing part (25) isoperable for moving the pump piston (21) in a first direction through afirst discharge stroke from a starting position to the non-destructibleintermediate stop (37) and through a second discharge stroke from thenon-destructible intermediate stop (37) to the subsequent position todischarge successive partial charges of said medium.
 2. Discharge deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the pressure release points (27) compriseat least one breaking element (30), which is predetermined to be brokenon actuation of the pump.
 3. Discharge device according to claim 1,wherein one of the pressure release points (27) includes a shaping ring(28).
 4. Discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the snap-in ring(28) is cast via frangible material bridges (30, 41) in one piece with asleeve (25) receiving the medium container (20) and forming the secondhousing part (25).
 5. Discharge device according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the pressure release points is located in the vicinity of aslot (43) bounded by walls (44) of the housing.
 6. Discharge deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first housing part (12) has aprojecting discharge portion (13) with the discharge opening (14) at itsend, actuating shoulders (35) projecting laterally therefrom and asubstantially cylindrical base portion (34) which, together with theconnecting piece (13), receives the medium reservoir (20) and pressurerelease points (27, 39) and which projects out of the second housingpart (25), which can be pressed into the first housing part (12). 7.Discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the medium reservoir (20)is tightly sealed in its starting position, but connected at the startof a further discharge stroke to the discharge channel (19), thedischarge device (11) being constructed as a disposable multipleatomizer for successive administration of a medicament to a patient. 8.Discharge device according to claim 1, wherein for actuation of thethrust piston pump (46) a piston rod (16) presses into the mediumreservoir (20) a piston stopper (21) forming a closure the mediumreservoir (20), wherein said piston stopper (21) is perforatable by ahollow plunger (17), such as a hypodermic needle, for opening the mediumreservoir (20) for connection to the discharge channel (19). 9.Discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a non-dispensing, idlingpath is provided between the starting position and a position in whichthe medium reservoir (20) is opened.
 10. Discharge device according toclaim 1, wherein the discharge opening is a spray nozzle.
 11. Dischargedevice according to claim 1, wherein the first housing part (12) and thesecond housing part (25) are moveable relative to each other. 12.Discharge device for discharging a flowable medium comprising: a housinghaving a first housing part (12) and a second housing part (25); a pumppiston (21) disposed in at least one of the first housing part (12) andthe second housing part (25) and moved in response to movement of atleast one of the first housing part (12) and the second housing part(25); a medium reservoir (20) for containing the medium (24), saidmedium reservoir (20) also forming a pump chamber (23), said pump piston(21) being moveable to produce pressure in the pump chamber (23); adischarge channel (19) leading from the pump chamber (23) to a dischargeopening (14) to allow release of the medium (24) when the pump piston(21) is moved to produce pressure in the pump chamber (23); at least oneintermediate stop (37) disposed between a starting position and asubsequent position of the second housing part (25) to prevent completeemptying of said medium reservoir (20) in a single motion; at least twopressure release points (30) holding the second housing part (25)stationary until a minimum actuating force is applied to allow movementof the second housing part (25) through a first discharge stroke; andwherein the second housing part (25) is operable for moving the pumppiston (21) in a first direction through the first discharge stroke froma starting position to the intermediate stop (37) and through a seconddischarge stroke from the intermediate stop (37) to a subsequentposition to discharge successive partial charges of said medium; andwherein the second housing part (25) is movable in a second directionrelative to the first discharge stroke for generating a releasing actionrelative to the intermediate stop (37) and allowing the second dischargestroke.
 13. Discharge device according to claim 12, wherein theintermediate stop (37) is abutted by spokes (29) connecting two portions(25, 28) of one of the housing parts (12, 25).
 14. Discharge deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein the spokes (29) are reinforced on oneside in a downward direction by an integrally formed rib.
 15. Dischargedevice according to claim 12, wherein a turning stop (38) is providedfor the releasing actuation.
 16. Discharge device according to claim 15,wherein the intermediate stop (37) is formed by a projecting wall (44)of the housing (12).
 17. Discharge device according to claim 12, furthercomprising a handle (33) for the releasing actuation.
 18. Dischargedevice according to claim 12, wherein the discharge opening is a spraynozzle.
 19. Discharge device according to claim 12, wherein the firsthousing part (12) and the second housing part (25) are moveable relativeto each other.
 20. Discharge device according to claim 19, wherein thesecond housing part (25) carries projections (29) which abut theintermediate stop (37) and wherein the intermediate stop (37) is formedas a housing part that also provides passages for receiving theprojections (29) when the second housing part (25) is rotated. 21.Discharge device according to claim 20, wherein the second housing part(25) includes a sleeve that is moved in a rotational direction relativeto the first direction to provide the release of the second housing part(25) from the intermediate stop (37).
 22. Discharge device according toclaim 12, wherein the second direction is a rotational directionrelative to the first direction of the second housing part (25). 23.Discharge device according to claim 12, wherein the intermediate stop isdefined by two stop elements, one of said two stop elements beingprovided on spokes (29) carrying a ring (28) and the other of said twostop elements (37) being formed on a bottom of a part (44) of thehousing (12).
 24. Discharge device according to claim 12, wherein thehousing (12) has a projecting discharge portion (13) with the dischargeopening (14) at its end, actuating shoulders (35) projecting laterallytherefrom and a substantially cylindrical base portion (34) which,together with the connecting piece (13), receives the medium container(20) and pressure release points (27) and which projects out of theactuating sleeve (25) which can be pressed into the housing (12). 25.Discharge device according claim 12, wherein the medium container (20)is tightly sealed in its starting position, but is connected at thestart of the first discharge stroke to the discharge channel (19), thedischarge device (11) being constructed as a disposable multipleatomizer for successive administration of a medicament to a patient. 26.Discharge device according claim 12, wherein the housing (12) includes astop element (44) forming the intermediate stop (37), the stop element(44) having a slot (43) and a wall portion, and wherein the secondhousing part (25) is rotatable relative to the housing (12) and carriesa second stop element (29) which is adjusted in relation with the slot(43) in order to allow the second stroke, the wall portion providing aturning stop for rotation of the second housing part (25).
 27. Dischargedevice according to claim 12, wherein the pressure release points (27)comprise at least one breaking element (30), which is predetermined tobe broken on actuation of the pump.
 28. Discharge device for flowablemedia comprising: a housing having a first housing part (12) and asecond housing part (25); a thrust piston pump (46); a medium reservoir(20); a pump chamber (23) of the thrust piston pump (46) being formed bythe medium reservoir (20); a discharge channel (19) leading from thepump chamber (23) to a discharge opening (14); a pump piston (21) beingmovable in the pump chamber (23) over at least two partial dischargestrokes from a starting position to at least one intermediate stopposition and finally to a subsequent stop position in order to providedischarge successive partial discharges of said medium; at least oneintermediate stop (37) locking the thrust piston pump (46) in theintermediate stop position; and unlocking means for unlocking the thrustpiston pump (46) from the intermediate stop for a second one of the twopartial discharge strokes in response to an unlocking action, theunlocking action being a rotating action; at least two destructiblepressure points (27) providing for a minimum actuating force to beapplied to the pump before the piston moves, wherein the first housingpart (12) and the second housing part (25) are moveable relative to eachother; and wherein the intermediate stop and the unlocking means areprovided on said first housing part (12) and said second housing part(25).